PRESIDENT-ELECT Michael D Higgins last night thanked thousands of well-wishers who welcomed him home to Galway -- where his "heart is and will forever be".

More than 5,000 had gathered since early afternoon at the bottom of Eyre Square to welcome back the city's first ever uachtaran and he didn't disappoint as he went to them before and after the formalities of the welcome home.

He told the cheering crowd that he was unable to personally thank the 1,000,000-plus in Galway and elsewhere around the country who had voted for him, but he was deeply grateful for their support.

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